“For What Shall We Pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
Prayer prompts:
For peace in Palestine, Ukraine, Yemen, and Syria…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Philadelphia, PA; Washington D.C.; Fort Worth, TX; Salisbury, MD; and Hayward, CA…
For students and for higher education professionals as they respond to and adapt to new legislative actions…
For police protests in France and for all who advocate for racial justice around the world…
For safety and relief in areas of the United States experiencing extreme heat…
For those suffering heavy rains, flooding, and heat waves in China and the Asia Pacific region…
For areas still struggling with compromised air quality due to fires and pollution…
For the ongoing effects of climate change and for increased compassion for our earth…
For protection and mercy upon all who travel, out of necessity or for pleasure…
Events and observances:
Monthly observances in July: Disability Pride Month, BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Jan Hus, martyr, died 1415 (July 6)
Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, died around 540 (July 11)
Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1931 (July 12)
Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies, died 1566 (July 17)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who suffer for the sake of conscience (ELW pg. 80)
God of faithfulness, you bless those who are persecuted. Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience. When they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair. Give us grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened; for the sake of our merciful and righteous judge, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the well-being of creation (ACS pg. 47)
Creator God, who set the stars in their places and directs the course of the planets; who robed this earth with a thin garment of air, making it a haven of beauty and life; who breathed into each of us the breath of life: We thank you for the gift of air. Create in us such a sense of wonder and delight in this and in all your gifts that we receive them with gratitude, care for them with love, and generously share them with all your creatures, to the honor and glory of your holy name. Amen.
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ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement
Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.
Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession
Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.
